Reporter: “Hi Enzo, we saw one of your players at dinner last night—he looked fit and wasn’t limping. Can we expect him for the Arsenal game?”
Enzo Maresca: “He’s definitely improving. Just because he can walk to dinner doesn’t mean he’s fully fit, but it’s a positive sign. We have two days left—tomorrow and Saturday—to prepare. Hopefully, he can train with the team on Saturday, and then we’ll decide.”
Reporter: “Facing a team like Arsenal, one of the top clubs in the league, do you approach the game differently? Or look for something new tactically?”
Enzo Maresca: “We always look for new ways to both attack and defend, no matter the opponent. This season, we’ve tailored our strategy to each team. Arsenal, I’d say, is currently the closest in quality to Manchester City. We’re preparing as best we can to play our game and go for the win.”
Reporter: “You’ve made a solid start as Chelsea head coach, but you haven’t had that ‘statement win’ against a big team yet. Do you feel like you need that victory over a top side like Arsenal to prove yourselves?”
Enzo Maresca: “Of course, I’d love to win these big games. Since I started, I’ve focused on analyzing not just the results but our performance. For example, we played well against Liverpool and didn’t deserve to lose, but that’s football. This Sunday, we’ll go out aiming to win, as always, but we know it’s challenging to win against any team in the Premier League. The key is that we’re competing closely with these top teams.”
Advertisement
Latest Press Conference
We’re on Social Media
Reporter: “Enzo, both you and Mikel Arteta have worked with Pep Guardiola and learned from him. Do you see that influence in the way Arsenal plays? And how has Pep shaped your approach?”
Enzo Maresca: “I learned so much from Pep. I wouldn’t be here today without the experience and insights I gained working alongside him. Mikel and I both have our own ideas, but I think we’re both grateful to have worked with someone we consider the best manager in the world. It was a great learning experience for both of us.”
Reporter: “And are you closer friends with Pep than Arteta is?”
Enzo Maresca: “(Laughs) That’s a tricky one. Let’s just say we’re friends and leave it at that!”
Reporter: “Chelsea’s last game against Arsenal ended in a tough 5-0 defeat. Have you watched that game recently or talked about it with the players?”
Enzo Maresca: “I watched it over the summer when I was reviewing last season’s games, but I haven’t rewatched it recently. Right now, we’re more focused on what Arsenal is doing this season. Last year’s game was a hard loss for the club, and we’ll try to put in a much better performance this Sunday.”
Reporter: “Arsenal has a reputation this season for frustrating opponents and being strong in set pieces. Are you preparing your team for that challenge?”
Enzo Maresca: “Yes, we know it’s going to be mentally tough. Arsenal’s set pieces are very dangerous. I watched their Champions League game against Inter, and every corner looked like a scoring opportunity. They’re top-notch in that aspect, so we’re preparing to deal with it as best we can.”
Reporter: “With Arsenal being so close to Manchester City, do you think they’re under more pressure going into this game?”
Enzo Maresca: “I like the pressure from these games myself! But I’d say Arsenal and City are above the rest, and that’s largely because they’ve had consistency in management—City with Pep for nine years and Arsenal with Arteta for five. That continuity is a huge advantage. But we’ll do everything we can to make it a difficult game for them on Sunday.”
Reporter: “For Chelsea fans, this game against Arsenal is huge. Do you feel that way too?”
Enzo Maresca: “I approach every game seriously, whether it’s against a big team or not. To me, each match matters equally. If you asked me which game I’d want to win between tonight’s and Sunday’s, I’d say both! But of course, Sunday is special.”
Reporter: “How challenging is it to play on both Thursday and Sunday? Does it mean you have to rotate the squad more?”
Enzo Maresca: “We’re fortunate right now not to have many injuries, so we have the full squad available. We’re careful with player workloads, knowing that playing multiple games each week can be demanding. We’ve managed well so far, but there may be times later in the season when we’ll need to make changes due to injuries or other factors.”
Reporter: “You mentioned enjoying the pressure. Do you think the expectations are even higher now, with Chelsea back in form and fans hoping for a win over Arsenal?”
Enzo Maresca: “I don’t know about previous seasons, but right now, we feel we can compete with and even beat any team. But we also know that if we don’t perform well, we could lose against any team. The key is that we’re moving in the right direction, and hopefully, we can give our fans a great day on Sunday.”
